The Railway Children (Puffin Classics)

LoveReading4Kids Says

First published in 1906, The Railway Children is a story that many adults will know well, not least through the much-loved film adaptation. Now reissued as part of Puffin's Classics series with new illustrations by Chitra Erayanie, it is available for a new generation of young readers to discover the original text.

The book tells the story of three children, Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter, whose comfortable London life is abruptly upended when their father disappears under mysterious circumstances. The family moves to a small cottage in the Yorkshire countryside, where the railway and its comings and goings become central to their daily lives and adventures. It is a story of resilience, resourcefulness and the kindness of strangers, and the children at its heart are brave, gutsy and engaging companions for the reader.

It is important, however, to approach this book with a clear sense of its historical context. Written before either of the World Wars, it offers a vivid snapshot of an England that is very different from today. The railways were still a relatively recent development and represented genuine excitement and possibility.

The class system was firmly in place, women had not yet gained the vote, and attitudes towards the roles and place of women in society went largely unquestioned. Some of these views will feel outdated and even uncomfortable to a modern reader, and younger children in particular are likely to need some guidance and explanation from a parent, carer or teacher when encountering them.

That said, the book offers a wonderfully evocative picture of the English countryside and of a period of significant change and development in the nation's history. It has inspired generations of readers and continues to influence writers today.

Read with appropriate context and discussion, The Railway Children is a genuine classic that rewards the effort. It is best suited to confident readers of nine and above who have some appetite for historical fiction and the world it reflects.

Reviewed by Louise Johns-Shepherd
Louise is the Chief Executive of The Kids Network, a charity supporting children through mentoring to feel happy and confident about themselves and their futures.
More reviews by Louise Johns-Shepherd

About The Railway Children (Puffin Classics)

Puffin Classics: the definitive collection of timeless stories, for every childRediscover the Puffin Classics collection and bring the best-loved classics to a new generation - including this charming new reillustrated edition of The Railway Children.

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